In the fifth episode of the third season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zuko, Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai are sent on a forced vacation to Ember Island. In an effort to gives us backstory on these Fire Nation characters, the writers…I don’t even know. What the hell did I just watch? Oh, and FIREBENDING WITH YOUR MIND. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Avatar.
I am confused, and for all of the wrong reasons.
I don’t hate “The Beach.” Even when I strongly dislike something (Sherlock’s “The Blind Banker” is a great example), I can still make an attempt to find things to enjoy. And they are here, for sure! We’ve needed an episode about the Dangerous Ladies and Zuko; I’ve wanted more backstory on Mai and Ty Lee since they were introduced; I’ve wanted to see an episode that focuses on the group dynamic and the way they interact with each other now that Zuko is around. This episode gives me all of this, and I’ll still appreciate that.
At the same time….WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING. Writers, this might be one of the most awkward twenty-four minutes of my life and I’ve watched nearly every movie by Todd Solondz.
Ok. SO. I am glad that we got further stories on Mai and Ty Lee and that their backstories helped develop them further as characters, Ty Lee in particular. Thankfully, these stories don’t feel patronizing, and the method of their revelation is neat as well. It’s moments of anger and frustration that bring forth the understanding between these people. It’s about how they feel the need to define the past in their own terms, instead of whatever assumption people have about them. At the same time, it allows Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee to begin to feel that they get why each of them has such distinct personalities and what came to shape them that way. In a way, it’s almost the (barely there) message of the episode: If you take the time to get to know those close to you, you won’t lash out at them as the characters do here.
Azula. I….I just don’t even know what to say about her anymore. Throughout “The Beach,” we get brief, fleeting moments of something hidden deep down inside of her, but her desire to be THE WORST HUMAN EVER ALIVE takes precedent over everything else. Must you manipulate and exploit everything, Azula? IT’S A GAME OF VOLLEYBALL. IT’S A PARTY. IT IS NOT A WAR CAMPAIGN. But at the very least, it’s within her character, and I respect that. Azula has no other way of relating to the world, so it makes sense that she would even translate that over to the way she deals with boys. THIS IS GOOD WRITING. I ENJOYED THIS.
but
but
but
BUT
(you knew it was coming)
what the hell is going on
I am trying to understand this, and perhaps I missed something, or maybe Netflix edited out a scene. Maybe I just don’t get it. But WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FINAL SCENE. What?!?!?!?! WHY. WHY WOULD YOU WRITE THAT. WHAT DOES IT EVEN MEAN??? I tried to look at it as like….a moment of celebration? Like, “YAY WE ARE ALL FRIENDS NOW,” but why are you destroying that young man’s house in the process????? Even worse, why on EARTH would Ty Lee, Mai, or Zuko ever get involved with such a thing? This act was so uniquely Azula-ish, and it makes no sense at all that the other three would help destroy a house and make someone else cry with despair.
I refuse to devote more than a thousand words on this. Few story line twists have ever left me feeling so confused and unsatisfied. I DON’T GET IT.
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I almost wish that, instead, we’d been given more time with Team Avatar, because if there’s one thing “The Beach” does absolutely right, it’s the full introduction of Head Fire Man. I have no idea what his real/fandom name is, so for now, I’m sticking with this. When we first saw the man with the eye tattooed on his forehead, I assumed that it was a mere aesthetic addition to make him look more intimidating. Instead, we learn that Team Avatar is most certainly facing an enemy more difficult than any in the past:
HE CAN BEND FIRE WITH THOUGHT. WITH THOUGHT ALONE.
It must be stated that the sound work done to create the effect when Head Fire Man sends a blast of fire is half of why it is so creepy and horrifying. It’s this delayed crack of power, suggesting that the fire travels faster than the speed of sound. This antagonist exhibits no emotion aside from wrinkle-faced anger. (Seriously, dude, you’re gonna have those creases etched into your face forever if you don’t change your expression.)Â But even worse than all of this (and it’s already pretty bad), the team discovers they cannot stop any of the attacks this man sends their way. No water bending or earth bending helps. This man has more power than any of them. And what’s left for them to do? They run away on the back of Appa, shaken and jarred by the experience. Rightly so, Katara has a feeling this assassin knows exactly who they are.
THOUGHTS
- Sorry this is dramatically shorter than usual. It’s not because of time constraints or lack of energy. I had plenty of time to write this, but I simply don’t have anything to say. I’d rather be honest and succinct than to find some artificial way to expand a review to twice its current size.
- I will say that I also liked Azula admitting she was jealous of Ty Lee. Finally she expresses some sort of doubt. Too bad it ultimately doesn’t seem to matter.
- For a brief moment, I thought this episode would turn into a Zuko-centric story: His scenes in the old vacation house are probably the best moments of that story line. Part of the reason, besides the writing, were how quiet they were. This episode had a great deal of loud dialogue and I appreciated the silent moments here.
- Why did Azula invite Zuko to the fire? I have a feeling she just wanted to gather more information on him to exploit at a later day.
- It was expected that Zuko would ultimately say that he was angry at himself, but the scene was still done really well.
- Nice parallel between Azula trying to tell a joke and Katara trying to tell a joke.
- Few things are more awkward than Azula trying to hit on a guy. Wow.
- “I heard you telling someone that you’d be partying from dusk ’til dawn. It’s dusk, so we’re here.” “But that’s just an expression.” Chan sounds so DEJECTED when he says this.
- why were there doves. what the hell.
- You know, I think I know why the ending bothered me so much: There are four members of the Fire Nation gang and it feels like this episode was meant as a parallel to Team Avatar, a chance to get to know these characters in a deeper way. We do get to experience this, but I just refuse to believe these characters can be reduced to such violent caricatures as they are here. They have to be more than that, or else what was the whole point of this story?
"The Beach" is probably my least favourite Season 3 episode – by which I mean that I merely "really like it", as opposed to "I BLOODY ADORE IT". 😛
The whole "teenagers partying in the house while their parents are away and then destroying the place" is a bit too American for my tastes (maybe because it appears in so many Hollywood teenage flicks).
What I love about this episode, though, is the confession scene on the beach (great voice acting all around!) and especially the flashbacks to Zuko's childhood. I'll let the snapshots speak for themselves:
BEAUTIFUL FLASHBACKS ARE BEAUTIFUL… <3
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OMG Uncle Iroh and Lu Ten and baby Zuko! *heart shatters*
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Also this lovely family portrait:
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And Zuko's windswept hair… yum… <3
Oh, and the Fire Nation guards complaining about boring duty and then spotting the Avatar are full of lulz. XD And so are Lou and Li.
Lu Ten and Iroh built sandcastles, all arguments are irrelevant.
Awww, bb Zuko looks so happy!!
That first flashback screencap is probably Azula, Zuko, and Ozai, having carefree fun as a family. When did that become impossible for them? Behind the funny and the fanservice, there's a lot of sadness in this episode when you stop to think about it.
There's a scene with Zuko and Azula playing around even in the flashbacks of Zuko Alone:
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It's pretty unreal seeing Ozai's hand on Zuko like a "father-son" relationship. It's as if, with Zuko being his only son in the family, he really had his hopes set out for Zuko taking the throne and continue the royal family legacy, but then he sees how much more talented Azula is. Really makes one curious of the kind of man he used to be.
Plus, check out Ozai's eyes in that family portrait. I see a content man, not a war-mongering ruler.
Ursa, on the other hand, looks troubled, at least to me. Maybe she knows that it's all going to come crashing down.
These flashbacks of them being happy are most likely before Ozai expected to become Firelord. After all, Iroh was the elder son and the heir to the throne. It was only after Lu Ten's death and Iroh's withdraw from Ba Sing Se that Ozai truly believed he would rule the Fire Nation. I believe that lust for power curdled this family's happiness 🙁
Out of the curiosity about the "partying while the parents are away" thing being an American thing … does this not happen in other countries? Or happen less?
It doesn't happen in Australian fiction. The only time I've seen anything like it is in Tomorrow When the War Began. The trope is mentioned by the teen narrator when her and her friends decide to spend a week camping in the bush on their own.
In real life I've never seen or heard about it happening with people I know. There was a famous example in Sydney or Melbourne when this teen posted about his party on facebook while his parents were away. It made headlines because hundreds of people showed up. He was so big for a while that he was a celebrity guest on Big Brother not long after it happened.
Not related to the episode, but I wanted to share:
The highly popular 20" Appa plush dolls are back in stock at shopnicku.com. You can have your very own adorable Appa for only ~$20, plus shipping (not THAT kind :P).
<img src="http://www.shopnicku.com/v/vspfiles/photos/7342761-2.jpg"/>
Hurry, before they run out again!
ORDERING RIGHT NOW IN ANOTHER TAB. Thanks so much for the heads-up!
AUGH curse my college-student lack of money. I totally want one of those.
OMG I WANT A POCKET APPA. I don't have any money this is a sad day forever. 🙁 🙁 :(.
I GOT APPA. Thank you so much. It's actually probably for my nephew if he wants it, but if he thinks it's too childish for him (PSH) then I will keep it and hug it and snuggle it and love it forever.
Damn you for bringing that to my attention. I just bought fifty.
OMG. WANT.
My thoughts on the episode.
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Oh, God, the doves get me every damn time. John Woo!
Epic mustache. Heeeeee.
why were there doves. what the hell.
Because EPIC DRAMATIC CASTING AWAY HIS CLOAK/CLOTHES, MAN! It's like a visual fanfare. You've got to have SOMETHING!
😀
Yeah the creators pretty much love to rip on ridiculous anime any chance they get.
And the doves are their John Woo homage!
No no no! It's a reference to some scene from a movie or video! i can't remember what though.
Yeah, I wish I had more to add, but…I enjoy this episode though, JUST for the scene around the fire, which I like a lot. I think this was another one like "The Headband" that was referencing 80's movies.
Yeah, this episode… it's kinda… yeah.
It shows that Azula is aware of her own mental pathology ("My own mother thought I was a monster!") and it's interesting to note that Zuko doesn't say anything. What a terrible brother-sister relationship.
Poor Ty-Lee though. She's just a bubbly character and is everything Azula isn't- so Azula resents it. It's something that was pointed out when the Dangerous Ladies got together- that Mai just goes along with Azula, following the path of least resistance while Azula threatens Ty-Lee. Not that she needs to, but she wants to.
Also, that Tien guy (I can't stop seeing him as Tien from Dragonball, don't judge me) HOLY SHIT he's scary!! What the hell?! What chakras did he unlock to shoot fire out of his brain?!
Well, Zuko didn't say anything because he, Mai, and Ty-Lee were clearly in "Go ooooooooon" mode, hoping that Azula would get more in-depth with her issues like they did, which of course, didn't happen, as Azula immediately makes light of her issues instead.
What I think of this episode always largely depends on what sort of mood I was in at the time I started it. Sometimes I adore this episode. Other times I'm all "Azula is a sociopath and needs to be locked up OMG." Actually I usually think that all the time, it's just the prevalence that changes.
But the important thing? ZUKO FINALLY BUYS A FRICKING CLUE. Okay, it's a small clue, but it's better than we had before. Yay development!
I honestly don't know what to say about the ending, but the doves were an homage to John Woo! <3
In fact, Zuko is the trope image for Disturbed Doves on TV Tropes, and John Woo is the first mention in the 'film' category.
That's who it is! I knew it was an homage to someone, but I could not, for the life of me, remember who.
I take back all of the mean things I said or thought about Azula. Her complete inability to flirt is just too endearing for me to sustain my searing hatred. She is only slightly less subtle then a train crashing into a firework factory. As far as I am concerned adorkability is the single most redeeming trait a character can possess.
Oh and Stereotypical Jock Dude, you are a fool. You turned down the chance to be half of THE STRONGEST COUPLE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!
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TOGETHER THEY COULD HAVE DOMINATED THE EARTH!!
This episode was written by Katie Mattila, who wasn't part of the regular writing staff (she only did Zuko's story in Tales of Ba Sing Se), that's probably why it feels so different.
Oh god, lol. This whole episode IS like a John Hughes movie, isn't it?
Oh yeah, I forgot! The "Why are you angry? Tell us! Tell us!" bit is almost directly lifted from that Breakfast Club scene toward the end.
The episode's even called the Evil Breakfast Club in the fandom.
Yes!
Better than that. The whole episode is SUPER VILLAINS INSERTED INTO A JOHN HUGHES MOVIE.
One thing that rang oddly true for me? I could actually relate to Azula here. Gifted kid, outstripping most adults in one's areas of expertese, etc… and utterly incompetent in dealing with peers normally.
Admittedly, my areas of expertese do not include intimidation, manipulation, pyrokenisis, and kung fu; but when it comes down to it Azula is even more of a socially inept dork than Zuko. It is just that menace comes naturally enough to her that she can cover for it.
I LOVE this episode. I cannot stop quoting it endlessly (redundant sentence is redundant.
"That sounds really shallow and stupid……Let's try it"
It is extremely quotable! Whenever I'm playing a game with my sisters or something, the winner is all like, "YES! I have defeated you for all time! You will never rise from the ashes of your shame and humiliation!"
Winning. Serious business.
I use that exact quote when playing games. There's a dance that goes with it, even.
"We have defeated you for all time! You will never rise from the ashes of your shame and humiliation! …Well, that fun!"
Yes! and Grey Delisle's delivery is what sells me so much on those lines. She goes from super intense to completely light-hearted in a matter of seconds.
Grey DeLisle is amazing and it hurts when I can recognize her voice acting in a work where she's completely under-utilized.
At the same time….WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING. Writers, this might be one of the most awkward twenty-four minutes of my life
Yup. Pretty much. I feel like I'm being a total negative nancy today, but this episode gives me so much second-hand embarrassment that I don't know what to do with it. I like getting more insight into the Dangerous Ladies' lives since they've become major characters, but everything is just so awkward, and cringe-worthy…ugh. I think I'd like to go back to imagining monkeys caressing leopards, please.
I did like the introduction of Head Fire guy, because it was an astonishing display of a new skill, so that was a plus. And in spite of my meh reaction to the main storyline of the episode, the volleyball scene was the best part. It was funny, especially Azula's cutthroat tactics and victory speech. And it gave us bishounen Zuko.
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The more I watch this the less it makes sense… I mean physically, how the hell does he do that?
It's not impossible – given that the tunic wasn't probably fastened, he caught the right sleeve at the elbow (you can see that he bent his right arm there) and the looseness of the tunic's cut made it possible to take it off in one smooth sweep.
Now I'm imagining Zuko practicing in his room for hours to get down the physics of dramatic robe removal. It's probably a requirement for being a prince. Seriously, though, HOW DOES HE GET HIS ARMS OUT?
It is accomplished via his secondary bending skill – dramabending. Much like the way earthbending also has sandbending variants and so on, dramabending permits one to master the arts of angst, emo, and melodramatic coat-flinging.
I'd say that dramabending is a subskill of angstbending.
Or vice versa? I dunno…
Okay, I don't know how the fandom in general reacts to this episode, so my opinion might be unpopular but…I LOVE IT! It's definitely one of my favorites in season three. I think it's really funny how Zuko and especially Azula are so unable to function in a 'normal' setting. All they know is their screwed up family and the war. Azula's attempts at flirting get me every time, I just find them absolutely hilarious. "WE WILL DOMINATE THE EARTH!"
I also like seeing more of Zuko and Mai as a couple. I just like their dynamic.
Mai really bothered me at first when we met her in season two, but I eventually grew to love her. And that's another reason why I like this episode, we get some explanation for why she is so apathetic about everything except Zuko. Yay character development!
YANA, I too believe that this is a great episode, even if it does have its flaws. IDC what the rest of the fandom says.<img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/original/000/121/759/Rainbow%20haters%20gonna%20hate%20animation.?1304986795" border="0"/>
More Rainbow Dash. <3 <3 <3 I'm just going to +1 all posts with Rainbow Dash. It's the law or something.
I love this episode as well. I guess it is pretty awkward, but while that makes some people cringe, it really just makes me laugh. I adore seeing Azula out of her element, it's just hilarious to me watching her try to be a normal teenager. (stick to your strengths, sweetheart)
As to the reason that everyone went to destroy the house at the end, to me it always just felt like a reminder that they're the bad guys. You've gotten all this backstory and seen that they're human and you're feeling all fuzzy about them and it's a way to go BUT they're also the ones trying to kill the Gaang, remember? And also it never really confused me why they all did it. It just seemed natural. It was a thing Azula would do, and Mai and Ty Lee always go along with Azula, and Zuko probably just went along for the ride, to be with Mai or just to not be left by himself. That's how I always saw it anyway.
YES. PERFECT COMMENT.
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And if she takes steps to set them up for a nasty fall should they turn out to not be following along with her, that's just good sense, and it's their own fault for not doing what she wants (after all, didn't Zuko lie to her? He should know better. Shouldn't Ty Lee put Azula's interests above her own happiness? That's just the way the world IS).
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Of course, now and then people don't do things her way, and that's when she does the Azula version of a tantrum: she gets nasty and specifically sets out to hurt them in the ways she knows they'll most be hurt. In Chan's case, this means trashing his house, because he told her himself that this was how to hurt him, but we've seen her do this a number of times with Zuko and her own 'friends'.
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At the season-three writers' retreat, John O'Bryan pitched an idea about Firebenders combining their concentrated mental power to create nuclear explosions. My knee-jerk reaction was to say, "That's ridiculous!" Half a second later it led to another idea…
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My favorite detail in his design is the metal arm and leg, evidence that (the assassin) had a few setbacks while learning to master his unique Firebending abilities.
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I'm pretty scawny, so my default is to design lots of scrawny people. I wanted (the assassin) to be the physial opposite of little, scrawny Aang: a towering, bulky, and imposing brute. I scoured the Internet for images of bodybuilders and shot reference photos of some of the bigger guys on the crew. Our director, Joaquim Dos Santos, was the hand model for the signature claw-like, prosthetic hand, and I used Rohner Segnitz from the post department as a head model. With the bald dome and tattoo (based on the Hindu god Shiva's destructive third eye), the assassin became something like the ultimate anti-Aang.
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And the last of the Iceland visit photos-turned-background-design from the art book appears in this episode.
RIGHT?
I don't care about Ozai's children, give me more Lu Ten!
I do love the moment of doves-flying, clothes-flinging DRAMA! when Zuko stands up to go play volleyball. Laughing at the fangirls, are we, show?
Also, it took me forever to realize that the second dude's name was spelled Ruon-Jian, not Ron Jon.
Did anybody else notice that Chan's admiral dad is the one that gets mentioned in "The Awakening"?
Yep! I love those kind of callbacks. This show is full of them.
The Beach owns. And the ending made perfect sense. Here is a group of powerful, spoiled teenagers who feel like they've just been slighted, patronised or insulted by a douchebag. So they bust up and ultimately burn down his house.
They're not nice people. They're human, they have flaws, they show friendship to each other, but they're not Team Avatar.
YES. You see it in fanfic a lot, people trying to turn Zuko and/or Azula into these perfect, noble people who just need a hug, but it's like… No. They're assholes. Zuko might not be totally evil, but he's not a very nice person, stop pretending like he is.
"HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME INTROSPECT!!!"
Ehh… Zuko seems like a decent person, certainly WAY more honorable than almost anyone else in the Fire Nation royalty (except Iroh) but he makes really stupid decisions. Which is fine, he's had a hard past and honestly, he's 17. When you're a teenager, you're an idiot. It happens. I think he has plenty of potential to grow into a pretty awesome adult, although not if he continues to try to be like Azula and Ozai.
Yes, exactly. I mean that people try to wave away Zuko's *current* actions and turn him into this shiny-awesome person who can do no wrong. Of course he has the potential for being awesome when he grows up.
He also has the potential for screwing things up spectacularly and having terrible luck when it comes to achieving his ends, which he showed us so frequently we actually like him for his eternal bad luck. I really want something to turn out well for him and this might just be a part of it.
A girl can dream…
Besides, we've seen how capable Azula is when it comes to manipulation. I doubt she would have much trouble convincing the others to burn down the house of someone they generally dislike.
Actually, this does make more sense, if only just for a moment, one night.
Plus, I don't think it made anyone homeless, unless I'm severely misremembering it.
Probably not. Ember Island seems to be the place for rich people's summer homes, and Mr Teenage Jerk was rich enough to throw a party, so it almost certainly was his family's vacation house. (Now then, there's the matter of how much trouble he'll get in with his parents for getting the house burned down, and whether they'll be more upset over the burning than over the fact that their son pissed off the royal siblings that much…)
THIS. All of it.
I think I'd have to agree with this. I love me some antagonists that are more than two-dimensional, and this ep did a pretty sweet job of illustrating that, imo.
The super girly part of me was also very happy to ogle the gorgeous outfits, holy crap. Fire Nation fashions FTW.
Not my favourite episode, sure (cough cough needs moar Toph cough) but I enjoyed the hell out of it.
YES! Bad guys always get the best clothes! I especially love Ty Lee's party outfit.
I totally agree, Ty Lee's party outfit is fucking stunning.
THIS!
It also means throw away conventional society and behaviour if it treats you like you're not worth it. I like the ending, it shows them as they are at their best and there's nothing wrong with that.
Except…. Well, later.
I've been waiting for you to get to this episode, just so I could post this.
http://icanwalkonmyhands.ytmnd.com/
I can't stop listening to it!
Did anyone notice Aang's hand during his an Katara's embrace on Appa?
Those are BRILLIANT. XD Especially Sokka's "multiclassing" one.
Which reminds me…
Mark should totally review Order of the Stick… 😀
I can never decide whether I like The Beach or not. On one hand, Azula failing at normal human interaction, Zuko buying a clue, a hilarious game of vollyball, and Fire Nation teens being Fire Nation teens. On the other, so much awkward.
Azula has all the best lines in this episode though. Yes! We defeated you for all time! You will never rise from the ashes of your shame and humiliation! … ahh, that was fun.
That's a sharp outfit Chan. Careful. You could puncture the hull of an Empire Class Fire Nation battleship, leaving thousands to drown at sea! {pause} 'Cuz, it's so sharp. *hopeful expression*
And now, some more Texts From The Fire Nation
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Heh, I just love Zuko's expression in this one.
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These are so wonderful.
This might be the best bunch yet!
LOL @ Mai changing her status to "widowed"! 😛
Also, Zuko trying to bond with Azula. Nothing freaky about that at all!
See, I feel like this episode is suppose to establish three things:
1. Azula is completely unable to operate in anything approaching a regular social situation. These scenes are mostly played for laughs, but when you look back on them they're quite disturbing. This is a person who has been moulded into a someone who can only understand the world as either political machinations or all-out war. This is very important moment for her character, since up until this moment she's been established as evil, but perfect. This episode gives us a hint of her major failings.
2. It establishes the kind of control she has over her "friends". Think about that last scene: it's a takeoff of those inspirational 80s teen comedies about bonding with friends, yet their "bonding" involves destruction and fear. And think about the "fireside confession" scene: Zuko and the Dangerous Ladies (that sounds like a band) all reveal their big inner turmoils, but it was rather clearly engineered that way by Azula so that they would be willing to do her bidding. I find it a bit odd, in fact, that you don't think Zuko, Mai, or Ty Lee would be willing to torch an innocent person's house, since they've been shown to be perfectly willing to incapacitate numerous soldiers in their quest for the Avatar.
3. Head Fire Man is awesome.
And it does it pretty well! This is unquestionably a minor episode when judge against the series as a whole, but I like it.
Oh, and Zuko's doves are a John Woo shout-out.
Zuko and the Dangerous Ladies:
a) GREAT name for a band?
b) the GREATEST name for a band?
Zuko and the Dangerous Ladies (that sounds like a band)
Okay, now I want to make a new Rock Band 3 band, but I don't want to cheat on my other one.
Haaaa that is awesome! Amy's jacket is glorious xD
Zuko and the Dangerous Ladies
Thank you, Mark Watches, for giving me yet another fanfic idea. But where to find the time to do them all?? Aaargh! Aaaargh!!
Kinda sad I missed yesterday's post, because I really loved that episode. But I enjoyed this one too, even though my last note after watching it was "What the hell did I just watch." It was just fun and ridiculous and taking the piss out of teen comedies. I love "Villains go shopping" type stories, and this fit the bill.
It's also a really interesting way to discuss Azula's character. We have only seen her in her element so far– fighting and being a brilliant tactician. This takes her completely out of her element, where she has to interact with people in a situation where her mere presence doesn't automatically command fear and respect. With the party she's confused and insulted when people don't react the way she expects, and she takes her anger out out by snapping at Ty Lee, and finally by just burning down the kid's house. For a moment we see a hint of… something when she talks about her mom, but she bounces back pretty quickly.
Zuko finally recognizes he's mad at himself! Maybe he will actually do something right now. His little scene at the other house (why didn't they go there?) was sad, touching, but nice. He's back home in the Fire Nation, but it's still not the same as when he was younger.
And in the subplot that guy has a laser third eye. What the fuck.
<img src="http://piandao.org/screencaps/ep45/ep45-51.png">
<img src="http://piandao.org/screencaps/ep45/ep45-81.png">
BRAIN BLEACH!
I NEED BRAIN BLEACH!
They just need better support.
AKA ANY support.
Is it weird that this was my first thought, too?
Nope.
Honestly, I'm more weirded out by their long earlobes.
Long earlobes are a sign of good fortune in Taiwanese culture. Being as it's so heavily influenced by Chinese culture, and FN was developed as a product of East Asian influences, I wouldn't be surprised to know that those long lobes were part of their appeal as young women.
BLEACH!!!! WHERE IS MY EYE BLEACH?!?!
I'm sorry to be a buzzkill, but it always makes me sad when old women's bodies (or old men's bodies) are viewed with disgust simply because they're… well, aged. Bodies are bodies, man.
While I understand what you're saying, and totally agree with you intellectually, I still have a visceral, knee jerk reaction to this (or any similar depiction) that is "aaaaaaaaugh groooooooooooooss". Like, in Space Cowboys, when they're having their physicals and the one guy is like "hey I'm old you're hot let's bang"? aaugaughaugh. *shrug*
Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to go around wagging my finger and saying SHAME ON YOU or anything, and I know it's often an engrained knee-jerk reaction. Just… something to think about.
I never did understand the brain bleach reaction. Careful examination of the screenshot reveals nothing particularly disgusting even by common standards — not a spot or wrinkle rendered anywhere but the face, even. Seems like a lot of it is down to disgust at the thought of old people doing ~sexy~ things.
I have been waiting for you to see this episode so that I could post a link to this video:
http://www.livevideo.com/video/619346E2F4604B7FA4…
That is the most perfect video ever.
THAT WAS AWESOME
To me the doves felt like their way of making fun of anime and how some shows tend to over-do how "omfg hot" their characters are.
While this episode is mostly hilarious ("That's a sharp outfit-") there's one bit that always makes me cry and it's not widely regarded as this super sad moment, but I just break down every time. Because when everyone is asking Zuko who he's angry at, and Azula asks him if it's their father, and he replies "NO! No!" like he could never be angry at his father like, how could you even think that, I love my father I just collapse into a puddle of brokenhearted tears.
Zuko, your father is an abusive genocidal horrific awful person. Your father burned off half of your face when you were only thirteen, and told you that you were worthless, and gave you an impossible task to "restore your honor". Your father is the worst, ever. You have every right to be angry at him. You should be. But it doesn't even occur to you. Angry at the whole world, and yourself, and your circumstances, but never him. It never even occurs to you that he's the one who did it all to you. Zuko, you are so abused and you can't even see it. If you have a right to be angry at anyone, it's your damn father.
brb, crying.
Yes, yes, this. That tiny little change in his voice acting, it's like he's suddenly ten years younger, and really really vulnerable.
YES. The voice acting there is PERFECT and breaks my heart every single time oh gosh bawwww
Definitely Dante Basco's best performance so far.
To be honest, I think Zuko is fucking terrified to even think about that Agni Kai and his father and what happened, because as soon as he even gives it a little thought, he has to admit that his father is an abusive asshole and absolutely undeserving of admiration or respect. He is in complete denial, but his general unhappiness and anger here seems to mean he knows he's in the wrong and he knows this isn't working out. At this point, though, he can't seem to do anything about that. He's still a little too scared to outright reject the "perfect world" he built up in his head for so long.
Well said, it breaks my heart too when I listen to it. This episode seems so silly and light and funny on the surface, but when you stop and think about it, there's so much buried sadness.
IKR? I mean, the whole sequence with Zuko visiting their old summer house, with all those flashbacks to his happy childhood, is just heartbreaking (the absolutely gorgeous gentle music also helps).
…
Damn, I'm getting emotional again… *takes another swig of red wine*
🙁
You totally just pinpointed one of the saddest moments of this entire series. The way he says no just breaks my heart SO much every time. Bottom line is that Zuko is still a kid looking for approval from daddy. All kids do this…even abused and neglected ones.
If you are still crying somewhere, I'm right there with you.
This episode is so…I love the flashbacks and the confessional and I kind of can wrap my beat up little zutaran heart around the concept of zuko and mai as a viable couple after it, but it kills me that he burned the picture that had his mother in it. The death by awkward of Azula makes this a not fun episode for me and yeah the last scene is such a WTH moment. Maybe it was meant as tension relief? like we've had a chick moment now let's destroy something to feel strong again?
I think this episode was just being silly and messing around until we get into the middle and later part of the season where SHIT TOTALLY GETS REAL. I liked it for it's narminess, but I usually skip it when I watch the third season.
This episode. SO MUCH LOVE.
"The Beach" is weirdly hated in the fandom, for much the same reasons as I suspect "The Headband", "The Painted Lady", and "Sokka's Master" were hated. Because it's "filler", it's lighter in tone, and it focuses more on character development and interaction instead of plot advancement. (Also apparently because it's fanservice.) But I don't care. I LOVE THIS EPISODE DEEP IN MY SOUL AND I WILL DEFEND IT TO THE DYING BREATH.
I mean-it's about the Fire Nation kids! How can you go wrong with the Dangerous Ladies (plus Zuko)? I have to be honest, I was always more fascinated by the Zuko-Mai-Azula-Ty Lee foursome than I ever was with the Gaang. It's likely because their histories and backgrounds were more mysterious and unknown to us, and heaven knows I love a good mystery. Even with the tantalizing glimpses and insight we're given during this episode, I still want to know more. I want to know how Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee came to be friends. I want to know where and how Mai picked up knife-throwing. I want to know more about Ty Lee's sisters. I want to see the royal family happy and playing on the beach together before everything went to hell. Their backstory is just rife with fanfic potential and I seriously love speculating about it.
And that's what makes the episode work I think. The overarching theme that Lo and Li laid out at the beginning, about how Ember Island was a place where disguises and walls fell away and one's true nature was revealed, was a beautiful way to tie everything together.
Anyway, META TIME!
We already knew Zuko had been having inner turmoil and conflict about his decision in Ba Sing Se, and now we see how it's leading him to be openly resentful and grouchy, and causes him to act out in anger and destructive, confrontational outbursts-something which, in turn, upsets and angers Mai. It's a nice insight into their relationship. Throughout the episode we see Zuko lashing out, and Mai trying to handle things the way she always does: by pushing her emotions down and burying them inside her, bottling her feelings up. Giving bored snarky responses to everything. But when Zuko goes too far with his RAEG AGAINST EVERYTHING approach, it pushes Mai's limits to the breaking point, she boils over, and for the first time ever on the show we see Mai get angry. This quiet, emotionless girl who never seems to feel anything is furious, because the boy she loves is being a douche for reasons she can't understand and she can't take it anymore. And this is one of the biggest reasons I love them as a couple: Zuko makes her feel. She feels annoyed at his jealousy and over-protectiveness, and aggravated by his crankiness, and angry at his tantrums. The mask of boredom and blase that's been her safe cover all this time is showing cracks, and it's because of Zuko and his inner torments.
Oh Zuko! *sighs* The universe continues to hate you. It conspires to make you miserable and force you to reflect upon your actions and decisions.
And ruin your feeble attempts to be boyfriendly to Mai.I think it's good step in the right direction that he can finally admit that's he's angry at himself, and stop misdirecting his anger outwards at everyone and everything. Like Iroh, back in "The Headband". And Mai here in this episode, when she calls him out. Someone in the fandom once commented, "It's hard loving Zuko." and it definitely shows here. (And unlike Iroh, Mai and Ty Lee are not full of boundless old man wisdom or patience and, well, Azula only loves making Zuko's life hell, so it makes sense that Zuko feels so much more conflicted and worse off in this episode.)(cont.)
Meanwhile with Azula and Ty Lee, we get some new insight into their characters and relationship as well. Ty Lee is usually the endlessly fawning and adoring one, with Azula soaking it in. But here, among kids her own age, in a "normal", non-battle setting, Azula is very much out of her element. She's socially awkward and can't really handle herself in mundane situations. She keeps falling back on what she's good at-which is planning and plotting stratagems and manipulating faults and weaknesses, and she doesn't know how to turn it off. Which leads to endless hilarity but it's also kind of sad too, because I get the feeling Azula sometimes wants to be or act more normal, more like a "typical" teenager, but because of her personality and upbringing and grooming, it's just not viably possible for her. So when she sees bright, confident Ty Lee having no trouble fitting in and drawing attention, she becomes resentful and jealous. I think Azula actually knows how tremendously screwed up Ozai made her and that it's a bad thing, but she chooses to ignore thinking about it. It's so incredibly sad how she just casually accepts the fact that she's "a monster".
As opposed to Mai, which brings me smoothly into talking about the firelight circle on the beach and my favorite scene of the episode.
Nnnnngh even though they just had a fight, Zuko still cares about Mai and wants to attend to her, but she's still angry at him and not in the mood for affection. Trying to put her walls up again, I like to think. But she still tells Zuko off when he's lashing out at Ty Lee just for being concerned about him. And then we get TY LEE BACKSTORY HOORAY and learn that she comes from a big family with six sisters and, as a result, has a fear of having no identity of her own, nothing distinct to set her apart as an individual. She felt lost in the background noise, and out of focus, and joined the circus in order to have something that made her unique from the others. (This also helps explain why's so drawn to and admiring of Azula, despite the princess's penchant for cruelty towards her: because none of Ty Lee's other sisters can claim to be friends with the Fire Nation princess.)
And then Mai… oh my gosh Mai I love her so much. Mai's mother literally suppressed any form of self-expression she had. Like the Fire Nation kids at Aang's school in "The Headband". Or like Toph's parents. I admit, I feel way more sympathetic towards Mai for her backstory, and find it the most interesting. Because Mai is so screwed up that she doesn't even recognize the fact that she's screwed up. She doesn't even see the constant stripping of her agency and self-expression as particularly tragic, just a "Oh yeah, this happened to me when I was young." sort of thing. I can't even imagine what it must have been like, all her life being told, "Sit still. Be quiet. Don't speak. Don't make a scene. Look demure. Answer politely. Behave. Be a good girl. You don't want to make your father look bad, do you?" and having to suck it all up and comply. I mentioned earlier the interesting parallel here with Toph. Both girls had well-meaning but cripplingly controlling parents, but with very different reactions based on their individual personalities. Bold and outspoken Toph rebels. Shy and withdrawn Mai submits. Toph bristles, Mai buckles. (AND THIS IS WHY THERE ARE MY TWO FAVORITE AVATAR LADIES AND I DESPERATELY WANT FIC OF THEM HAVING ADVENTURES AND BEING AWESOME TOGETHER.)
(cont.)
But now that she's with Zuko, who gets ALL HIS FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS OVER EVERYTHING, Mai is starting to feel more comfortable expressing herself. She's starting to break free of her shell. And Zuko totally
thinks it's hotdigs it. (This why I think they're so good together. Because they influence each other's character development in a positive way. Zuko helps her express herself, and Mai comforts and encourages him, and is just generally there for him when he needs love and support.)And then the Ladies confront Zuko until he finally lets his thoughts explode (literally) and confesses what's been weighing him down. And then Mai, this normally emotionless girl who Zuko had earlier claimed in his anger didn't care about or believe in anything, comes up to him and basically says, "That isn't true. I care about you. I might not fully understand, but I love you and I'm here for you, Zuko." And there are kisses and snuggles and all is right in the world.
Almost.And then the four of them wreck a house together for the heck of it. And warm fuzzy feelings fill my heart.MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS:
-Oh hello again, Scott Menville. You're just all over the place in Avatar aren't you? *fangirls*
-I show off gifs of the fight with Combustion Man anytime I'm trying to get someone new to watch Avatar.
-Aang and Katara post-battle cuddle!
-"YES! WE DEFEATED YOU FOR ALL TIME! YOU WILL NEVER RISE FROM YOUR ASHES OF SHAME AND HUMILIATION!"
Your comments are fantastic. That is all.
Amazing comment is amazing. Seriously.
THIS. I love Mai and Zuko as a couple, but I've never been able to pinpoint and put into words exactly what draws me to their dynamic…and I'm pretty sure you just did it for me.
I love everything about this comment. <3
This is an excellent analysis of everything I love about Zuko, the Dangerous Ladies and this episode in general. Please keep bringing these extremely awesome comments! <3
Thank you! I shall attempt to do so!
Thank you…
The Beach is so captivating to me. HELLO? More Zuko, Mai, Ty Lee, and Azula! I will never get bored of watching them.
She doesn't even see the constant stripping of her agency and self-expression as particularly tragic, just a "Oh yeah, this happened to me when I was young." sort of thing.
I wonder if part of her attraction to Zuko now is because he doesn't strip her agency like her parents did. Sure, he doesn't always like what she chooses to do and blows up over it, but he doesn't stifle her, which is why she feels she can open up and show emotion around him.
Of course, then there are the stupid bashers who try to simplify Mai's issues into "She's so spoiled that she resented having to sit still and be quiet like kids are supposed to do!" which. no. It's so much more than that. Most people find they have to repress emotions at some point and guess what, it's usually hard and it hurts. Mai had to repress almost everything, she had almost no acceptable forms of expression, think how many times worse that must be.That's definitely an interesting thought. Zuko does occasionally seem to have trouble with trying to "protect" her when she doesn't need it, but ultimately he respects her choices and allows her to do her own thing. (Like when she broke up with him in this episode, he didn't protest, just accepted it and went off to brood.)
Ugh, what? They say that? I only encountered the bashers who were all, "WHY DIDN'T SHE BEHAVE EXACTLY LIKE TOPH?", ignoring the fact that Toph and Mai are different characters with different personalities and coping mechanisms. Why would you even say Mai should've taken that, good GODSWALLOP I hate fandom.Huh. I don't know why anybody wouldn't enjoy Azula's volleyball assault team. It's an episode that uses comedy to undercut a lot of the emo and sturm and drang. And yet at the same time digs into the characters backstories.
To me, this is one of the funniest episodes they ever did. Watching Azula socialize never ceases to be amusing.
For me the equation is this: writers wanted to write about deeply emotional issues relating to Zuka and Azlua BUT thought that would be rather limp dramatically and kind of wet and "telling not showing" SO they layered it with several flavors of meta-comedy commenting on the characters WHICH created an episode with some tonal inconsistency.
This episodes contains information which pays off emotionally later. There are things you have to know about all these characters as revealed in this episode for the later season's arc to work.
And, as I mentioned, I love Azula in this episode. Her character is never played for comedy but here she is and Grey Delisle is awesome delivering one awkwardly inappropriately megalomaniac line after another.
This is the most stand-out DIFFERENT episode of Avatar, in my opinion. It was written by a different person. Even the animation feels slightly different (but that could just be because everyone's outfits are so different than what we're used to) It's just…odd. I think we all sympathize with your confusion Mark. You sound exactly like me after the first time I watched it.
I actually enjoy the scene where they wreck the dude's house. I think I understand perfectly why they would do it. They just had a really emotionally-trying little "talk", and this is a group of people who are not used to expressing emotion. And after something like that, they all want to just blow off some steam.
Plus it helps that pretty much everyone in the group is upset with the dudes who threw the party. Zuko is upset with them for throwing him out, Azula is upset with Chan for not being "into her" (plus she's just evil all the time forever), Ty Lee was upset at all the boys for stalking her (plus she just does whatever Azula says, so if Azula says "wreck the party" she's going to do it) and Mai is…well…Mai. She's always looking for a chance to "do something interesting", right? She's always treated chasing people around and throwing knives at them as a form of entertainment. Destroying some dudes house seems like it would be pretty fun for her.
Also, the doves, I think, were there because they are a symbol of love, and they were meant to emphasize the silly romantic joke when Zuko took his shirt off and all the girls swooned (Zuko is a fangril favorite omg!!! Doves and flowers and hearts! LOL!)
"If you want a boy to like you, just look at him and smile a lot and laugh at everything he says, even if it's not funny." (This line kills me because it's SO TRUE. May not be the best way to start a meaningful relationship, but if you're just flirting, this is TOTALLY HOW YOU DO IT.)
"Well that sounds really shallow and stupid. Let's try it." LOL AZULA WHY ARE YOU FUNNY HERE I HATE YOU.
"Don't you know who WE are? We're Chan and Ruon-Jian." "YEA."
"Time to hit the beach!" *Mai covers Zuko's eyes.*
"Yea, it's like…welcome to SandyLand!" "Hahahahaha!"
"Have fun by yourself, LOSER BOY!" "Niiiiice."
this episode has some of the best quotes ever…I love it!
As far as the Fire Nation side of The Beach goes, I do like it, but it can be awkward. I think it did a good job showing the trouble these war-oriented teenagers have with doing "normal" teenager things, and it does give some depth to Azula, both by showing her own doubts and by showcasing her absolute failure at social skills. She reminds me a lot of a friend I once knew who was excellent at judging people's motivations and manipulating those motivations to get people to do what she wanted… but only online or in a theoretical way. In face-to-face relations she was terrible at understanding or empathizing with people, and she flat-out did not understand the reciprocal nature of an actual friendship. So the party gives us a chance to see some of Azula's weaknesses. She is fantastic at blowing things up and inspiring fear in her followers, but terrible at social events outside that.
As for the destruction of the house at the end, I think there's a couple different things at work. We've already seen that Mai and Ty Lee pretty much follow whatever Azula wants them to do, regardless of their own intentions. For Zuko, I don't think he would do this normally, no. However, I see him going along with Azula (and his general attitude throughout the episode) as a big marker of his confusion and unhappiness. He does what Azula wants to do because maybe that will make him feel more like he belongs. He is trying so desperately to fit in here in the Fire Nation. I mean, he's been gone for years, all he wanted was to come home, this is his place, he is the Prince of the Fire Nation! And yet he doesn't fit in and none of this is working for him, and he can't understand why, because in his mind everything should be perfect.
And if the last image feels false… I guess that's because it is. I mean, they all look happy, but as we saw around the campfire, they obviously aren't. The four of them are reveling in the destruction, but it seems pretty superficial. It may have let out some of Zuko's anger, but it didn't solve that problem, and it didn't really bring any of those characters closer together. Mai and Ty Lee are still just following Azula because she terrified them into it or there's no other option, and Zuko and Azula are never going to be close siblings.
I think Azula cares about Zuko, in her own twisted way. I feel like she was genuinely concerned when she aksed him to come with her.
She manipulates him because it's the only way she's able to interact with anybody.
I agree. I think she likes Zuko more than she likes other people, weirdly enough.
I think so too.
I SO want this to be true. I mean, only Zuko could understand how messed up Azula is from the dysfunctional family they have.
A great action scene, some brilliantly written character development and a wonderful reminiscence scene. What's not to love?
OK, the so teenagers at the beach aspect is a specifically an aspect of American culture and the teenage awkwardness is a little true to life. The ending was… amusing. As far as character motivations go, Mai and Ty Lee go along with whatever Azula says and Zuko has some anger issues to resolve.
Fun fact: The currently unnamed scary guy who attacked the Gaang had hair in his original design. The designers chopped it off and gave it to the guy who hits on Mai in this episode.
I don't know, guys. This whole episode was a Zuko Diary Entry! How can I possibly compete?
But I'll give it a shot.
"Dear Diary,
It turns out that parties are lame, but destroying them is pretty fun. More fun than what happened after destroying that admiral's house, when Azula tied me down and Ty Lee gave me a makeover. I don't care that the kohl brought out my eyes and made them look dark and broody, I can brood just fine without it. And I can't get this friendship bracelet off my wrist. Rrrrgh, it makes me SO ANGRY! Oh wait, that burst of flame just incinerated it. That's right, everything I touch just turns to ash and cinders — like my poor battered heart."
IDK what you were worried about, this is great.
Well, there is a lot of agreement that these early episodes are basically 80's flashbacks. You have Footloose (Episode 2), Captain Planet (Episode 3), Every Training Montage Ever (Episode 4) and the Breakfast Club (Episode 5).
I really love this episode. The awkwardness that pervades throughout the Ember Island story is classic teenage awkwardness. I felt they really nailed that feeling, since when it comes down to it, teenagers are all about awkward, so it makes sense they'd push that in the episode where the group tries its hand at blending in with them.
They don't spend a lot of time on it, but I absolutely adore Zuko's emotional journey here. From the frustration at being treated like a child, to the overprotective boyfriend, moving towards his ultimate realization that he's angry at himself. I felt these moments were incredibly powerful, and again, the whiplash-inducing mood swings of the episode really capture the joys of being a teenager.
As far as trashing the house: consider it a bonding experience. That, or Azula bullied and manipulated them into it. She's good at that, I hear.
So I kind of loved this episode. I loved seeing Zuko, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee not dealing with all of the pressures their normally under. I loved seeing more of their personalities. I loved them trying to act like normal teens. I loved the gaang's intoduction of fire head man. And I LOVED the campfire scene (plus the flashbacks).
As for the ending… I guess they were just trying to find a fun (for them) way to escape all the emotion.
Maybe its just a fun episode to watch while rewatching the series.
Totally fun episode to rewatch! (I mean WAYYYY better than rewatching The Painted Lady or The Great Divide or something…)
I mean, when Zuko rips off that robe and the doves come out? Hahahaha…..gets better every time.
I actually interpreted Azula slightly differently in this episode:
"I will say that I also liked Azula admitting she was jealous of Ty Lee. Finally she expresses some sort of doubt. Too bad it ultimately doesn’t seem to matter."
I actually saw that line as straight-up manipulation. She realized she was bad at something, and Ty Lee was good at it. She just said what she needed to in order to get the information to correct that. Sure, she was jealous of and angry about Ty Lee's superior skill in this area, but I think the purpose of the conversation for Azula was learning Ty Lee's 'secret', not confiding in her.
"Why did Azula invite Zuko to the fire? I have a feeling she just wanted to gather more information on him to exploit at a later day."
This, I actually saw as a very rare genuine moment. I thought it was kind of a hint that Azula also realized how screwed up their family was, and didn't want either of them to dwell on memories. Well, anyhow, Azula's a pretty awful human being, so we agree on that part :).
Otherwise, yeah, this was awkward. I get the feeling that they knew lots of mainstream anime typically have a 'beach' vacation episode, and they were like "We can totally do that! Beach-clothes for the Dangerous Ladies!" I liked the character information about Mai (Honestly, I have a strong aversion to her. I have known too many girls like her.), Ty Lee (She's not always happy! ), Zuko and Azula. I just really wish they could have come up with a less ridiculous way of giving it to us.
Also, that last scene was in line with Azula's personality, and I could buy that Mai and Ty Lee would have just followed along. I don't really see Zuko being that enthusiastic about wrecking some poor kid's house, though. And framing it as a happy memory? WTF, writers?
100% agree with your assessment of Azula's motivations. That's all.
I love all the character stuff that comes out at the little bonfire. Love the Ty Lee backstory, and the fact that she’s trying to find herself and make a place for herself in a world that seeks to contain her. I’m really glad that she regards her circus life as a triumph, since I love that she took initiative and did what she could to give herself her own identity.
I also love that the bonfire is a moment when we see characters who like each other, also turn on each other in this moment of vulnerability. That Mai initially defends Ty Lee against Zuko’s treatment to her, but then also makes disparaging comments to her. That we see Ty Lee getting angry at Mai, and lashing out in a way we’ve never seen Ty Lee do.
And then Mai backstory! I think one of the reasons I like Mai so much is that she shares a certain past with Toph, who’s my favorite. That they come from somewhat similar pasts, but honestly, I see Mai’s behavior as much closer to how I would act in their position than how Toph acts. Both grew up in a life of privilege, but had political families where they were expected to keep quiet and out of trouble. So Toph rebels and wins earthbending competitions, but Mai basically acquiesed, and well, that hurt her, and she keeps emotions bottled because that’s what she knows. Of what we learn of these four characters in this episode, Mai’s story is my favorite.
“Normal teenagers worry about bad skin. I don’t have that luxury. My father decided to teach me a permanent lesson on my face.” NGL, I always laugh at this. I mean, I get it and Zuko really does have a shitty life, but that line omg it’s such a dramatic teen way to describe his burn.
“My own mother thought I was a monster. She was right, of course, but it still hurt.” See, I think I really love that Azula considers herself to be a monster. I like that she acknowledges that yeah, she’s basically fucked up. But she’s a perfectionist, and is vindictive, and her personality so far seems to have honestly worked for her. I think it reminds me of Ben Linus, who is honestly one of my favorite characters ever. That’s not to say both their lives couldn’t have been happier were they nicer or something, but I like that they’re not trying to hide the fact that their actions are manipulative and hurtful.
And I really do love Mai and Zuko’s relationship. I honestly believe they really do care for each other, even if sometimes they don’t get each other. I think it’s actually one of the best teen relationships I’ve seen on television, since it’s not about some ‘together forever’ mentality that generally seems silly to me, but so frequently happens. This is about two people who like each other, and are learning to accept the other’s faults. And that’s cool.
(continued)
I see a clear parallel between Zuko's fireside confessional, and Azula's. I think it was a turning point for both of them, and a sort of "Changing of the guard" of villainry.
Zuko admits, and seemingly accepts, his inner turmoil. This is huge. We have seen him sort of get it in the past, but that had the influence of Iroh with it. This time, he got there by himself.
Azula, on the other hand, shows a small ember of emotional turmoil relating to her mother, but I think she absolutely stamped it out. I think her realization of it was more shocking to her than the fact that it was there, and I wonder if she just uried it, or if she used the fact that nobody validated her in it to kill that last bit of humanity. I think that the others going along with her to torch the house of the dude that invited them to his party, validates to her that she doesn't want that bit of humanity. I mean, the glee in her face as she was wrecking the joint. Almost like a look of relief and freedom.
I don't think anyone can "stamp out" feeling rejected by their mother, let alone a 14-year-old girl. I think she covers it with humor and, well, being evil in order to get props from her teachers and father.
But this episode is not without its problems. And why must some of my most loved things always be so problematic! But my problems aren't really about the storytelling construction which I know other people hate.
Okay, so I hate the treatment of Li and Lo – oh look, older women whose sexuality is a punch line, the idea being of course it's disgusting hahahaha…no. For all that this show has given us some awesome older male characters, not so much with the ladies. And honestly, that pisses me off, because a lot of writers seem to have trouble writing women older than say 35, and Avatar is frequently good at pleasantly surprising me with its relative lack of fail, but not in this respect. The specifically feminist episodes like The Kyoshi Warriors or The Waterbending Master lose a lot of their power when I consider Li and Lo's portrayal in this episode. Were there plenty of other older women on this show that are amazing and fantastic, that would help migitate this episode's problems for me. But it's hard to say blame it on this one specific writer when I don't see the rest of the show attempting to prove that older women can be awesome and likeable too.
And then you have a number of instances of "crazy" stuck in one episode. Almost impressive given an episode is about 20 minutes long. At the very least, I find it jarring and it takes me out of the story, which I assume is not something the writers want to happen.
Okay, so I hate the treatment of Li and Lo – oh look, older women whose sexuality is a punch line, the idea being of course it's disgusting hahahaha…no. For all that this show has given us some awesome older male characters, not so much with the ladies. And honestly, that pisses me off, because a lot of writers seem to have trouble writing women older than say 35, and Avatar is frequently good at pleasantly surprising me with its relative lack of fail, but not in this respect.
YES.
THIS.
The whole "Ew! Old ladies! OMG!" thing just really, really bugs me.
That was just Zuko, and it's a pretty common reaction for teenagers. I may be mistaken, but I think there was a similiar scene with Iroh in season one.
I always thought that those scenes poked fun at kids uncomfortableness around old people's bodies.
Right I remember that. Maybe it was in The Drill?
Okay, so I hate the treatment of Li and Lo – oh look, older women whose sexuality is a punch line, the idea being of course it's disgusting hahahaha…no. For all that this show has given us some awesome older male characters, not so much with the ladies. And honestly, that pisses me off, because a lot of writers seem to have trouble writing women older than say 35, and Avatar is frequently good at pleasantly surprising me with its relative lack of fail, but not in this respect. The specifically feminist episodes like The Kyoshi Warriors or The Waterbending Master lose a lot of their power when I consider Li and Lo's portrayal in this episode. Were there plenty of other older women on this show that are amazing and fantastic, that would help migitate this episode's problems for me. But it's hard to say blame it on this one specific writer when I don't see the rest of the show attempting to prove that older women can be awesome and likeable too.
QFT. I didn't get into it in my short and squeefull post, but I agree with this so much. It's something I tend to notice and it's so frustrating that ATLA gets so much right, but then stumbles here. Would it really be that hard to fix?
Agreed on everything else as well. I love your commentary! <3
"Normal teenagers worry about bad skin. I don't have that luxury. My father decided to teach me a permanent lesson on my face." NGL, I always laugh at this. I mean, I get it and Zuko really does have a shitty life, but that line omg it's such a dramatic teen way to describe his burn.
See, I laugh at that line, but I also think "omg, is this supposed to be serious?" I'm embarrassed by the teen angst and I can't take that entire fireside scene seriously, so I just don't know what to do with this episode. I like the insight into the characters' backgrounds, Azula's flaws, and Zuko's admission of his confusion, but the episode leaves an odd taste in my mouth.
And I agree with you about Lo and Li. When Mark watched "The King of Omashu," my first thought was "this show has a lot of badass older male characters" and then followed "…but not many older female ones." Aside from the twins, we've had the herbalist and the fortuneteller (any others I'm forgetting? Kyoshi didn't seem very old when we saw her, unlike Roku), and they were funny, but that's about it. Lo and Li seemed important and respected, but lol, saggy boobs. The scarcity of older women who aren't objects of ridicule, and throwing around "crazy" as a sentence filler and insult are ATLA's two major flaws.
I actually see the lack of badass older women this way: As Pakku showed us back in Book 1, misogyny very much exists in the Avatar world, especially among the older crowd. While almost all of the badass older people are male, look at the younger generation: Katara, Toph, Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, June, Smellerbee, and other awesome young women I'm probably forgetting at the moment. The older generation of the Avatar world knows nothing but war and rigid social order. The children, however, show that there is hope for the future of their world.
I too am frustrated by the lack of cool older women in the Avatar world. But I choose to see this as another way in which the Gaang represents good things for the future of the ATLA universe, not only by possibly ending the war, but also by bringing some much-needed gender equality.
Gran-Gran? The slightly demented healer woman from The Blue Spirit?
…
yeah, not a lot of cool Iron Ladies.
That's why I love Discworld. It has BAMF characters in every age, sex and species group possible.
Badass kid/teenager? Tiffany Aching.
Badass young man? Carrot.
Badass young woman? Angua, Magrat, Susan.
Badass middle-aged man? Vetinari, Vimes.
Badass middle-aged woman? Sybil.
Badass old man? Archchancellor Ridcully.
Badass old woman? Granny Weatherwax.
Badass representant of a different species? Detritus, the Librarian.
Badass anthropomorphic personification? Death.
I agree with you about the miss that occurred with Li and Lo. This show has already done a lot about characters acting above and beyond their gender. The bathing suit gag was cringe worthy, where my reaction was, really, avatar really? But then I remembered this is a show targeted to kids and I remember when I was younger thinking my grandma in a bathing suit was odd. It still bugs me none the less. Great job with your review echinodermata.
SO MUCH WORD to all of this. Especially the stuff that bugs us both, the shipping goggles, and being Ben Linus fans. Oh man, he's probably my favorite of all the Lost characters, his arc was utterly amazing and Michael Emerson is brilliant and stop me before I gush all afternoon. <3
The severe shortage of awesome old ladies in AtLA depresses the heck out of me, not gonna lie. I mean, for a series that twists certain gender-roles and stereotypes around so gleefully? Come on, Show, you can do better than this! :C
I understand that we were supposed to laugh at Lo and Li, but I see them as two ladies that are comfortable with their bodies. Even after Zuko's reaction, they don't care, they are going to the beach!
Tyzula forever!
"At the same time….WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING. Writers, this might be one of the most awkward twenty-four minutes of my life"
This describes my thoughts on this episode exactly. Whenever I re-watch the series, this is the only episode that I skip. I EVEN WATCH THE GREAT DIVIDE! I think everyone has covered the awkwardness angle enough, so I'll talk about something else that bothers me about this episode, but also the third season as a whole: The overuse of the "anime style" expressions and reaction shots.
Now I don't have any problem with anime itself, but the ridiculous, exaggerated expressions that so often pop up in it have always been a turn off to me. It's one thing when a 'cartoony' character has exaggerated reactions, but these characters look and act like real people (most of the time), and so these reactions do nothing but pull me out of the story with their over the top goofiness.
I've also always felt like they were sort of… "cheating" for lack of a better word. To this point, ATLA has done a good job showing realistic emotional reactions (again, most of the time) to the events the characters experience. Here however, all subtlety is lost to the "blue forehead of embarrassment" or the "cross veins of anger" that just scream at you "THE CHARACTER IS FEELING X EMOTION RIGHT NOW! PLEASE TAKE NOTICE OF THIS FACT!" Of course these are always accompanied by a cheesy sound effect, just in case you didn't notice.
I know it's a small thing, but it has just always really bothered me every time I've watched. I guess it's because along with the above, it feels like this is simple pandering to the anime fans watching, and just doesn't feel right in this show in my opinion.
See, I noticed the anime-ish style and while i dislike it, I accept in this episode because I'm pretty sure it's deliberate – as in, purposefully mocking the random "day at the beach" episodes that every anime ever has while at the same time paying homage to teen movies and providing excellent character growth/backstory/character interaction! Basically, as long as I view it as straight up parody, I appreciate the style/weird bits of the episode a whole lot more.
I would accept that if this was the only episode where this sort of stuff happened. Just from episodes we've gotten to so far, I can point to instances like Katara getting a "cross veins of anger" moment in 'The Painted Lady', Fat's exaggerated reaction in 'Sokka's Master' when he sees what Sokka did to the rock garden, Sokka in 'The Headband' when he finds out about Aang going to school, and many others I can think of but can't mention for fear of spoilers.
Not really the case. This episode was unusually heavy on the anime faces, but they have been there and prevalent since episode 1.
Especially obvious anime reactions: Aang shouting at Joo Dee and Aang after realizing he just made Toph leave the group. Two very pivotal moments, and both are animated comical anime style.
Realistic reactions and "Anime" reactions are pretty 50:50 in this show.
I'm not arguing that they never happened before this, just that in season three they become far more prevalent as well as far more noticeable, and I would also say they were just as annoying and distracting then as they are now.
I would also like to note that most of those reactions in earlier episodes came from Aang, who has a bad habit of making goofy faces. This makes it all the more jarring to see the other, less… excitable, members of the group doing the same in this season.
One reason I think that they are so much more noticeable is that I don't think the stock sound effects came along with them as often in the earlier seasons, which I think makes them stand out more in the third. For instance, I don't remember a goofy sound effect when Aang realized he made Toph leave the group in The Chase.
And I would definitely dispute that realistic and anime reactions are 50:50 in this show. Yeah, there are a handful of examples from earlier seasons, most, as I noted, coming from Aang, but overall expressions were handled more subtly more often than not. Here in season three, everyone gets in on the overreacting, and I'm sure I can think of at least one example from almost every single episode.
I LOVE anime-style visual jokes! I think it's all tongue-in-cheek, and the writers/animators know it's silly. That's the whole point.
And with the way Zuko and Azula are getting along now, you can't help but think, just for a moment, that maybe they can return to that state…
It also gives the impression that the Fire Nation royal family doesn't start out as being evil, but there's some metaphorical poison that turns them into world-conquering sociopaths as they get older. It makes them that much more tragic, and all done through a single image.
I've heard that when they originally designed the beachwear for the Dangerous Ladies, they actually made the swimsuits MORE revealing so that the designs they wanted didn't seem so bad in comparison.
That' a persistent rumor, but it's false. In facts, Mai was even supposed to keep on her normal clothes (discarded body issues subpolt?). I can't find those pics anywhere, but here's one early storyboard were Ty Lee's swimsuit is, if anything, way less revealing.
<img src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs48/i/2009/192/0/a/Avatar_67_by_IBGraham.jpg">
Source
Good to know! I'm not big in the Avatar fandom, so when my friend told me that, I just took it as fact!
Ah, yes. Mai and body issues. Totally would make sense given her backstory.
I have to say that I LOVE THIS EPISODE AND EVERYTHING IT CHOOSES TO BE. I love the insights into the Dangerous Ladies (NO ONE SHOULD BE MEAN TO TY LEE ;_;), more Zuko backstory, and Azula basically cements herself as my favorite kind of villain. I love every scene with her in it- her awkwardness gives me great joy, tbh. Idk what that says about me, but whatevs.
I read the ending as kind of a bonding experience for all of them. The people at the party had slighted them/were beneath them and they chose to fix this in a satisfying, if disturbing and destructive way. Zuko and the girls aren't especially nice/considerate people (EXCEPT TY LEE WHO GOES ALONG FOR THE LOLZ), as much as we love them (or love to hate them, as the case may be).
In other news, has anyone else been distracted by X-Men? Once more the movies/comics have consumed nearly all of my fannish attention (I've squeezed ATLA, Better Off Ted, Luther, and AD/BSG rewatches into the rest of my time- what is my life).
1. Love this episode whatever whatever to all y'all who don't.
2. Saw First Class, rewatched the previous three (yes, all three), am almost tempted to try reading the comics. Have been reading some fanfic, though. Not gonna be a big fandom for me, but it's fun.
3. But have you finished The Middleman?
2. I've watched First Class 3 times so far through (mostly) legal means, but haven't rewatched the others yet (lol I own all three plus Wolverine: Origins, though I acknowledge that the last two were crap). I just started reading fic and I can tell it's going to be a big fandom for me because I go through phases of being totally into X-Men (Comics Emma Frost is amazing *_*), and I can feel myself getting sucked back in again. I have so many issues /storylines to get caught up on. Back to the movie though, even my non-fannish friends walked out of the theater nearly in tears at Charles and Erik's tragic break-up. 😀
3. I haven't yet-between moving and waiting on Netflix for the discs, I haven't gotten the last set yet. That is another show that I love everything it chooses to be! Btw, have you watched Better off Ted? It is A++ and I think you would love it.
2. Beach scene wrecked me, and I was totally holding back tears. And I have indeed heard that about Emma Frost.
3. Get on that, yo. And I LOVE Better Off Ted. Watched for Portia, stayed for Phil and Lem. <3
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3. I will! 😀 I did the same thing. Veronica, Phil and Lem are three of my favorite characters in anything ever. I keep thinking of different scenes, laughing to myself, and then rewatching entire swathes of episodes. I will never get to anything new if I just keep rewatching the old stuff. /o
Are you reading X-Men Generation Hope? I've always kind of wanted to get into the X-Men comics since I really liked the movies, but the continuity stuff is SO INTIMIDATING to a newbie like me, so when I saw a new series with a team led by a lady I jumped on it. It's pretty great so far. (lol totally off-topic)
N. I haven't yet, but it sounds awesome! The continuity is intensely intimidating, isn't it? A couple of years ago, I just delved in starting with old Uncanny X-Men issues and followed basically all of Emma Frost's storylines, but I haven't read anything in about 1 1/2 years. I'm excited to get back into it though! 😀
Well, Doctor Who hasn't ended yet (AND HOPEFULLY IT NEVER WILL!), and he's doing it… 🙂
The one little scene that really sticks in my mind from this episode, and one that I really loved, is the scene where the Head-Firey-Explosion-Man (yes, that is what I call him in my head) first attacks Team Avatar. It's just something about the way they operate during that tiny 30 second scene. The way they work together is seamless. One of them moves forward, one moves back, like clockwork.
Random I know, but I think it shows how far they've come as a team.
Oh, and did anyone else notice how well Zuko and Azula 'played' together during that volleyball match? That was pretty seamless too. That always freaks me out a little bit.
I still haven't decided whether or not I like this episode. I think I have an intense love for bits of it, and other parts just leave me cold? And then there's some mild enjoyment, and maybe some apathy?
IDEK, YOU GUYS
I am probably alone when I say this is one of my favorite season 3 episodes. I love it very much, all the character development, the chance to see that despite having such a bad relationship, Azula and Zuko do sometimes act like siblings, something that I expected to see more of earlier. When you grow up with someone, no matter how they act toward you, you will have SOME moments when you aren't trying to kill each other and have to be normal with one another, and I loved seeing that done in such a realistic why this episode. I loved LOVED L-O-V-E-D the silent Zuko moment and the references to John Woo Film's (that's what the doves were about) and the Breakfast Club. I'd suggest watching this episode with commentary, because that's one of the reasons I grew to love the episode even more then when I first watched it.
I wouldn't say it's my favorite, but I do adore it for all time.
Right-click saving the second one for my D&D group (muahahaha).
When A:TLA beat Spongebob Squarepants at the Nick Kid's Choice Awards for Best Show! Azula's line: "Yes! We defeated you for all time! You will never rise from the ashes of your shame and humiliation!" was used by Avatar fans to gloat over Spongebob fans.
I believe it was in one of the Avatar-only Nick Magazine issues!
You could see it briefly while he was falling in "Crossroads of Destiny".
Haha, loved her responses to Headmaster Jr. and Copied One.
My love for this episode is at least partly metatextual: this is basically That One Episode you get in every show where the heroes get together for a day at the beach and we get a closer look at their personalities… but this being Avatar – The Show That Eats Cliches For Breakfast – the beach episode? Is devoted to the villains. Now we understand why Mai is so withdrawn, why Ty Lee tries so hard to stand out, and why Azula is… well, Azula. 🙂
But I think it's Zuko that's giving Mark such trouble here: for all that he's still a sympathetic character, I think the idea here was to remind us all where our little Firebending prince is right now, and how he got there. In some ways, his decision to rejoin the Fire Nation is even more damning given that he now knows how deeply the war has hurt the whole world.
And that's what's happening here: Zuko is trying to become the person he was before his exile, the one who thought it was funny to throw bread at turtleducks. In fact, I'm most strongly reminded of his behavior during the raid on the Southern Water Tribe at the very beginning of the series, and that's what we get at the end of "The Beach": Fire Nation nobility indulging their power.
That's not a question.
Totally heard that in her voice. I can just see her face saying it, too.
"That is not a question."
Flawless answer.
Also: I actually thought the joke with Lo and Li wasn't that they were old ladies trying to be sexy, but that they were probably nannies to both Zuko and Azula since birth. Which makes the whole "Let's Hit The Beach!" bit awkward as hell. 🙂
Kickass.
So after a couple episodes of focusing almost exclusively on Team Avatar, with a little bit of what's going on with Iroh, it's… time to check in on Zuko and the Dangerous Ladies! (Good name for a band, y/y?) With the twist that what they're up to is not actually some super-important, dangerous scheme that will spell trouble for the heroes (well, aside from the Scary Assassin Guy Zuko hired a few episodes back catching up with Aang and the others, but I don't know that that necessarily counts), but are simply… relaxing? At the beach? OH HELL YEAH. Seeing villains in their downtime, just chilling and not plotting and mwahahaha-ing is something I've always been fond of, because it makes them more well-rounded as characters, and because it provides the opportunity for some amazing comedy, if done well. This episode does not disappoint in either way.
First up, let's talk about Azula and how hilariously awkward at normal interaction with people she is. RIGHT? It actually makes her rather endearing to me – I know she's a horrible person who does horrible things and all, but… she's also a fourteen-year-old girl who has no fucking idea how to socialize with regular people without frightening them. She's good at reading people in order to manipulate and use them, but normal everyday conversation and flirting are… not really compatible with this and so she's completely lost, a fish out of water. It's actually pretty sad when you think about it once you've stopped laughing: her upbringing has so warped her that she can't function in regular society. I find myself torn between being amused at what she says and does here, and pitying her for her sheer cluelessness on a phrase nobody else takes literally.
Mostly, I'm amused, though. A game of what looks like beach volleyball is so SRS BSNS to her, hahaha. And her attempts at flirting with Chan: first the comment about his outfit being sharp, and then the hilarious "WE WILL DOMINATE THE EARTH!!!" complete with blue flames in her hands, will never not be funny. Although I don't approve of her being mean to Ty Lee. 🙁
Zuko, meanwhile, is in Needs a Smack Upside the Head mode. His jealous, possessive boyfriend act with Mai is UGH DO NOT WANT. Seriously, he's way out of line with her and acting like exactly the kind of jerk I would never ever want to date. I don't blame her for (temporarily) breaking up with him. I TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULD DO BETTER. I hate how he treats Ty Lee too, what is it with these siblings and making her cry in this episode? No one should do that. 🙁 It's only at the end that we find out the source of his pissiness: he's still in turmoil inside, not sure if he knows anymore what the difference between right and wrong is. WELL, I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT OFF THAT HIRING A DUDE WITH A THIRD EYE PAINTED ON HIS FOREHEAD WHO CAN BLOW THINGS UP WITH HIS MIND TO KILL THE AVATAR IS DEFINITELY PRETTY WRONG. Getting what he wanted for so long has not really brought him any satisfaction; in fact, I'd say that aside from dating Mai, he's not happy at all with any of it. And that's what so confounds him: he believed that he would be happy once he got all this. He's surprised and distressed to find that it's not at all like what he imagined, and I think that this is worse than simply being unhappy with his situation. Because he expected to take great joy in being loved and respected, and yet he doesn't, and he doesn't even know why. Maybe he knew deep down all along that life could never be the same after that fateful Agni Kai; maybe not. But if he did, he buried that knowledge to make it okay in his mind while he struggled and fought to get here, because he had to believe that everything would be all right once he did.
(cont)
The question is: could it have been, if he had, say, captured Aang early on? Maybe; who can say? But the thing is, he didn't. He walked a long hard road between the beginning of the series and his "triumph" in Ba Sing Se. He's seen more of the world, and the harsh reality of it. He's done things that prove he's better than Azula, better than who his father wants him to be, tries to mold him to be, and those things are what's causing his uncertainty. He's floundering, and he's starting to sink, as evidenced by his hiring of Scary Assassin Guy, and the rage that is quickly becoming self-destructive. What he needs now is to do as Iroh tried so hard to get him to do: look inward and think about who he is, and what it is he truly wants, and let himself learn from what he's experienced and be the good person that Iroh and I know is in there somewhere. I only hope he can figure it all out before it's too late.
I also really, really appreciate learning the backstory on Ty Lee and Mai, and what effect it has had on them. I do love me some Dangerous Ladies, as we all know, so getting a look at what drives them, what makes them tick, is always welcome with me. It's a wonderful scene that makes it clear that this episode is not to be dismissed as filler fluff, because to me it isn't: it doesn't advance much plot, but it advances characterization, which is just as important. We get a better look at the inner workings of Mai and Ty Lee, Zuko lets out his frustration at being so confused and unhappy, and Azula admits that her mother's perception of her as a monster did hurt (she tries to brush it off, but I wonder…). Group bonding, yay~ I love that last shot of them after they completely trash Chan's house.
Other stuff:
– "It looks like the beach threw up all over it." NEVER CHANGE, MAI. <3 <3 <3
– You know, it occurs to me: in the beach scene here, Ty Lee's behavior is a little reminiscent of… Quinn. And we already know that Mai is the Daria of Avatar. LULZ. The bit with the ice cream is so like Daria, especially.
– oh my god Zuko's ~dramatic shirt throw~ complete with seagulls flying by and fangirls. THIS EPISODE IS PURE COMEDY GOLD.
– That poor messenger hawk. 🙁 It was only trying to do its job, it didn't know!
– I want to snuggle with Momo while I sleep. 🙁 Lucky Toph!
– Really did not like the repeated use of "crazy" in this episode. It's my one real complaint with it.
I would definitely call this episode a sleeper hit in my book. I always forget how much I love it until I watch it again. The fireside confessional gets a little cringe-inducing at times, but every other part of this episode just makes me grin (whenever I’m not giggling at Azula’s attempts at interacting with others in a non-combat situation). Seriously, “The Beach”. ILU to the ends of the earth.
Agree. I love this episode the more I watch it.
I don't have time to read all the comments, but I have to say: I FREAKING LOVE THIS EPISODE!!!! I Love this episode so much, with a passion.
1. I love seeing the Dangerous Ladies and Zuko try to act like normal teens–because, underneath it all, they ARE normal teens.
2.I love how vulnerable and out-of-her element Azula is in social situations.
3. I love watching Zuko express every negative feeling he has until he explodes in rage at himself. That's a major character moment for him, finally realizing that *he* screwed up, and what he wants is something he can never have. NOTHING can bring back his mother.
4. I love the insight into Mai and Ty Lee. "Circus Freak is a compliment!" is one of my fave quotes in the episode.
5. I love the humor throughout the episode, and all the "teenager tropes" and movie homages (I really should watch The Breakfast Club!)
6. And then there is the line that breaks my heart every time I hear it: "My own mother…thought I was a monster…" AZULA!
Yes, I know what it feels like to doubt your mother's love, and to be reminded constantly that she loves your sibling more than she loves you…in my case, it was put in the context that "boys are so much easier to raise than girls". I wonder if Ursa had a natural affection for Zuko that she just never expressed with Azula, and if Azula picked up from a very young age that no matter what she does "My mother loved my brother more than me…" Leading Azula to work even harder to becoming her father's ideal soldier. I wonder if Ursa even realized how her favoritism was hurting her daughter.
It puts Ursa's line from Zuko Alone in a whole new context. "What is wrong with that child?" A line that no doubt, Azula heard.
Theirs is a royal family, which are always prone to favoritism, jealousies and dysfunction to do power and other aspects of Royal life that complicate families. This family has *two* severely damaged children, one who was damaged to the point of becoming an evil robot, at service to her father. One who has known no love from *either* of her parents, and never really had the chance to understand the concept or build a meaningful relationship with anyone in her entire life.
For the record, I give Azula the benefit of the doubt in this episode. This forced social interaction has put her at her most vulnerable, and I truly feel that she looked for Zuko because, underneath her pride and perfection, her defense mechanisms and her awful, indefensible abuse and manipulation, she cares about him still.
That's my defense of one of my Top 3 in Season 3 and a good portion of my understanding of Azula's incredible, layered character. I hope I didn't offend anyone with this post.
Yeahhhh this episode. I think I mostly agree with Mark's assessment of WTF.
It did make me fall in love with Azula, thanks to her inability to flirt and her ruthlessness at volleyball.
When I was watching I thought "Oh show, why are you telling kids that the way teens bond is to insult each other and then throw out some AP Psych?" and then I thought "Oh show, why is this such an accurate depiction of every sleepover I ever had in high school?" Minus the firebending and vandalism, of course…
Mine lacked firebending, but I can definitely recall one that included vandalism…
When I was watching I thought "Oh show, why are you telling kids that the way teens bond is to insult each other and then throw out some AP Psych?" and then I thought "Oh show, why is this such an accurate depiction of every sleepover I ever had in high school?" Minus the firebending and vandalism, of course…
My thoughts exactly. And as the angsty, sniping middle/high school phase has passed, I have low tolerance for being reminded of it. There are some funny moments here and new views of the characters, but overall it's just not my cup of tea.
I heart this episode SO MUCH. It shows us what happens when you drop a group of over-the-top super villains into… real life. It just feels like you've cut two separate movies together. They don't work.
Azula's totally out of her element. But next time I win at any sports game, I will cackle evilly and say, "WE HAVE DEFEATED YOU FOR ALL TIME!" Grey Delisle, who voices Azula, is so great in this episode that I pee my pants with laughter at most of her lines.
I thought the ending scene really fit. I don't think that the characters were supposed to learn and grow here, Mark. We were supposed to get the impression that Zuko is at a low point–that something is just NOT RIGHT. He doesn't know how to act, he doesn't know what to feel or how to fit in. He obviously is not doing what he is supposed to be doing. He is just lashing out.
But I think the other three kids are in the same situation. They are talented and underused. They can't fit into regular upper class teenaged society–as we find–but they aren't supposed to do what they do best: be super villains. Ozai has sent them here to get them out of the way, but they can't be kids anymore. To all but Azula it seems like the war is appearing to be more and more useless anyway.
So… what are they FOR? Why do they even exist? What should they do with themselves? None of them know, and that's why they act the way they do.
It's classically great teenage angst.
And now, I shall post some of my favourite quotes:
"Yes!! We have defeated you for all time! You will never rise from the ashes of your shame and humiliation!" BWAHAHAHAHA LULZ FOREVER
"That's a sharp outfit, Chan. Careful: you could puncture the hull of an Empire-Class Fire Nation Battleship, leaving thousands to drown at sea… because… it's so sharp." I also love how the Azula theme music plays loudly and then abruptly cuts out as she says "because".
"Hey, watch it! That food was for my cranky girlfriend."
While I do not love the episode, I do like some of the points it makes. Azula, who has grown up around her father, probably one of the most cruel and manipulative men in the entire Avatar world, can not find a way to interact with others her own age. She treats a game of volleyball as a war, the way she tries to flatter people comes out very dark, and the way she comments on her past all play into her personality type.
She states that her mother thought she was a monster. While accepting that her mother was 'right' she also says that it still hurt her. I think this is a big insight about Azula. She can accept that she is a monster, and she can act like she blew it off, but the last line shows something fragile in her. She does not know how to be anything but a 'monster', and when she tries, it always seems to fail. So, in her mind I assume she just decided to stop trying because if she does not try to change, she can not fail.
It's actually a very sad story, but the way the group has a heart to heart and then destroys a party undermines it a lot.
I like this episode solely because we get to see Ty Lee in a swimsuit.
I like Zuko shirtless, myself.
😉
Ty Lee rocks her bikini!
Ty Lee rocks her bikini!
Mmm, yes. Yes she does.
Hell yeah she does. That shot of her with all the ~sparkles~ because it's how one of the boys at the beach sees her? That's my reaction too. <3
I'll be the first to admit that she's been the one fictional character I've ever had a crush on in any cartoon. Doesn't help that she's insanely nice/adorable.
You're not even going to comment of the wonderful way they handled Mai and Zuko's relationship this episode? For shame.
Here you have the sexy bad boy displaying some awful, controlling behavior and he get called out on it by his girlfriend and told it isn't acceptable for him to treat her like that. Later she reaches out to him, he re-buffs her, then he reaches out and she rejects him. Then they do it again until they explain their behavior and make up. It’s a surprisingly healthy way to portray a relationship, on a kids show! I mean compare it to how Twilight would have treated it.
Yes, upon reflection, I did quite enjoy that. I have to point out, though, that the creators have hardly set Zuko up to be sexy. Leather-pantsing can happen to any power-adjacent antagonistic character*.
*brilliant and carefully thought out theory copyright Avit 2011
You are right, I should have put "sexy" in quotes. I was thinking more in the lense of the general fandom, who bashed Mai for not coddling Zuko to help him with his angsty-angst
To be honest, I'm rather disappointed you didn't say more on the conversation at the end of the episode. Yeah, it kinda sucks that the Fire Nation group destroyed that guy's house; but its not that disturbing. The guy was a jerk. He made a comment that his dad didn't know he was having the party. It was fairly obvious they would end up trashing the place.
Each character gave us something deeply personal about their motivations: Ty Lee wants to be an individual. She seeks attention and respect. Mai has been severely suppressed by her ambitious parents, resulting in her cold attitude most of the time; it is only when she is with Zuko that she FEELS that passion deep inside of her.
And really, Zuko's reveal that he is angry at himself – while obvious – is fantastic for him to admit! He normally takes moral guidance from Iroh, but this time he finally realized his own motivations. He knows for sure now that he did wrong.
And personally, I think this is a big point for Maiko: Zuko complains about how effed-up his life is (which he did a LOT of in the past), but Mai is the first person to tell him, "That doesn't excuse your actions." Good going, girl! He needed to hear that from someone he can trust!
As for Azula… I won't lie, she was the most awkward character in this whole episode, the whole way through. But we see two genuine moments of weakness: When she admits to Ty Lee that she is jealous of the affection (wanted or not) that the guys are giving her, and when she looks into the fire to say, "My own mother thought I was a monster." These are covered up fairly quickly, but she is suddenly more vulnerable.
Yes, she did invite Zuko to the fire to figure out his weaknesses. Didn't you see her smile when Zuko began spilling his guts?
I highly recommend rewatching the episode after a little while.
PS – I hate it when people say that this season is all filler. Each episode has something important to offer for different characters; we get insights into four characters' deepest motivations in this episode alone. If anything, this is the most character-driven season of them all, and there is nothing wrong with that when every single one has something shockingly realistic to offer.
AMEN. To all of the above. I don't see how you can classify these as filler. Well, if it means non-plot advancing in a good way, maybe, but I think character development is part of the plot. Looks like some people have a case of ~*destination fever*~.
Well remembered on the hippies! <3
I'm reading through the comments and squeeing over how many people actually really like it!
I was worried I would be the only one! XD
^5's all around!
Nope not alone! This is probably in my top 5 episodes!
Would she have been as horrible if her mother had actually loved her?
Does she believe that her mother did not love her?
Is she correct?
Wonder what her father told her.
It's pretty obvious that Azula became a nasty person BECAUSE she felt her mother didn't love her; which was BECAUSE her mother didn't like Azula's way of acting, which was BECAUSE Ozai told her that was the RIGHT way to act.
When you get down to it, Ozai's at the heart of the matter; the bastard.
bwaaahahaha I love the doves. The writers are fully aware of the effect Zuko has on certain members of the fandom, and are gleefully trolling. Plus it's such a stereotypical anime thing to do.
I don't know, I loved this episode to death. A lot of the people I was watching it with got the same awkward vibes you did, and so did I, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Oh, Azula. She's not evil, she's just socially inept! *facepalm*
The awkward scenes are great because it highlights that she's paid a high price for her aptitude in Firebending. She hasn't interacted with people a lot, so she doesn't know how to deal with them; she can only manipulate and intimidate. Which is sad, but it serves to round out her character and takes away the ability for the viewer to outright hate her. And for the other characters, I think it gives us more context for their actions.
As for the last scene, I don't think it was supposed to be a deep commentary on Team Fire Nation or anything. However, now that you put it in that context I think, in a way, it's each member of the group embracing their issues. One does something destructive like that if one feels wronged or out of control of a situation, which these guys definitely did, and have for their entire lives.
Just because they poured out their feelings around the fire doesn't mean those feelings of hurt and anger and inadequacy go away. It doesn't mean the people involved are ready to face them rationally or act accordingly. I think they know they are being rebellious and destructive and cruel, and at that moment, don't care. Maybe in a way it's how they bond or cope with what they've gone through.
Oh, and if they grew up in schools like the one in the Headband, it could be all those suppressed feelings on top of the added pressure of being Fire Nation high society making themselves known in the worst way.
Or, you know, maybe Azula just manipulated them into a sadistic team-building exercise. You never know.
Please understand I don't think that anything they did was okay, but I can understand where it's coming from and I thought it was a hilarious end to the episode.
Wow, I hadn't ever thought of this episode like this before. I think this is what I thought about the events deep down, but I hadn't really taken the time to articulate it. Go Mark Watches!
Also also, I definitely think Azula had ulterior motives. I got the same feeling back in whichever episode when Zuko was kissing Mai, and Azula came and told her Ty Lee's hair was tangled, and Mai actually left. She made the tiniest eye motion towards Azula as she left, with a small note of music, and I thought for sure Mai was only dating Zuko on orders from Azula.
Anyway, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this episode as much. I'm glad you can still enjoy certain parts of it; it's a good mindset to have.
Also, Ursa isn't here to defend herself or clarify her feelings. She didn't approve of the values and qualities that Ozai was encouraging in Azula, but that doesn't necessarily mean that she hated Azula for it. "What is wrong with that child?" could mean "Why can't I get through to Azula like I can to Zuko?"
That's true, but however Ursa meant it, Azula interpreted it negatively.
I could be fanwanking Ursa's personality here, but she doesn't strike me as a parent who would be cuddly with one kid and cold with another. I suspect mothers who prize one child above the rest are more emotionally manipulative with the child they like because they want the child to prefer them as a parent in much the same way. We don't see any behavior like that from Ursa. I can readily believe that she and Zuko were particular friends, but not that she would shut her daughter out to the degree that it would twist Azula in such a fashion.
HAH. I didn't even see this, but basically came in to the say the same thing <3
Heck yeah! That is pretty awesome. I seem to be opposite of Mark on this issue, but the episode made amazing, awkward sense to me when I watched it, even without that little tidbit.
Mai is 15, Azula is the youngest at 14…I just checked, and the Avatar wikia does say that Ty Lee is 14 but I know at one point it was established that she was 15. Or that's how old they were when they were introduced, because I know at least by now Zuko is 17—I'm sure I've read that somewhere that by the 3rd season he was.
*is nitpicky*
Then was it just a mistake in this episode when Ty Lee says that Mai was an only child for 15 years, and her brother was mentioned to be 2 in "Return to Omashu"?
Really? Nobody likes The Beach? I liked this episode a lot and figured it would be a popular one since it focuses on the Fire Nation teens and all.
What I really like is that we get some insight into Ty Lee and Mai. I love Ty Lee's outburst about how just because she's pretty, it doesn't mean that her feelings are less valid. It's easy to write a pretty, flirty, cute character like Ty Lee and just make her into a ditzy caricature, so I love that Ty Lee gets to be more than that.
I also unabashedly love how even these Fire Nation kids, who are our villains and have amazing powers and skills, are so. Fucking. Emo. They still have all these angsty feelings, and I love Mai and Zuko being all "disaffected teen" and Azula trying to FLIRT. SO MANY LULZ.
I agree that the ending is weird, though. I didn't really get it, either. I mean, I guess they were like, "Hey, let's bond with each other by going and getting back at that guy!" Property damage never seems to be a big concern for anyone on this show, maybe because it's a cartoon.
ROT13'd spoilers for the whole series:
Tvira Nmhyn'f ivfvba bs ure zbgure va gur svanyr, V'q thrff gung Nmhyn pbaivaprq urefrys (cebonoyl jvgu uryc sebz ure sngure) gung Hefn qvqa'g ybir ure orpnhfr fur jnf n zbafgre. Qrrc qbja, gubhtu, fur xarj gung Hefn qvq ybir ure hapbaqvgvbanyyl, ohg fur pbhyq bayl cnegvnyyl nqzvg vg jura fur ernyvmrq gung ure sngure'f nccebiny jnf ragveryl pbaqvgvbany.
Va nal pnfr, zl urnqpnaba irefvbaf bs Hefn'f erghea srngher Hefn naq Nmhyn qrirybcvat n pybfr obaq, nf Hefn pubbfrf gb haqb gur qnzntr Bmnv qvq naq uryc Nmhyn ernyvmr gung fur'f ybirq, ab znggre jung fur qvq be jub fur vf.
Ten Things I Hate About the Beach
1)Acting Like and Idiot Gets Boys
a.This is the worst by far. I would have loved to see an episode where Ty Lee is genuinely liked by all the boys she meets because she’s caring and interested in what they have to say. Instead we impressionable young girls are shown that you should laugh at everything boys say regardless of whether it is funny in order to get them to like you. Before anyone say that people know better in real life I spend a lot of time working with youth who think this way, who admit to having low expectations for relationships and not speaking their opinions around men. It would have been much more interesting to watch Ty Lee have to school Azula on being a human being. Or to watch Azula attempt some empathy. She could have just as easily and believably failed at that when making moves on Chan. Another poster mentioned that at least Azula rightly pointed out that that sounds “shallow and stupid,” but it’s immediately circumvented as a joke. This point is lost because it works. It works to land Azula, presumably her first kiss.
2)Zuko: the Abusive Boyfriend
a.Yes He is abusive. Is he also unwilling to change. “At least I feel something!” These ladies are the warning signs:
b.Does your boyfriend’s “temper” seem to only extend towards you and your choices of who to talk to? “Where’s your knew boyfriend?”
c.Does your boyfriend continually act jealous even after you insist you have no romantic interest in the other guy “I don’t have any opinion about him. I hardly know him.” “You like him don’t you.”
d.Does he insult you in front of your friends? “you’re just a big blah!”
e.Does he insult your friends? “CIRCUS FREAK!”
f.Does your boyfriend limit who you can and cannot see?
g.Does he never show real interest in things you like? “Don’t girls like stuff like this?”
h.Does he apologize with no real effort to change? If you answered yes to a- g, then your boyfriend is an Abusive!Zuko.
Develop a safety plan for leaving Abusive!Zuko for Introspective!Zuko. Introspective!Zuko has made some mistakes, but he thanks you for the time you spend listening to him angst. He sticks up for younger kids. He uses his political influence to save innocent lives from being sacrificed to war. Don’t settle for Abusive!Zuko. Call him on his bs before it is allowed to get worse “YWhatever that doesn't excuse the way you've been acting!”
3)When You’re Uninterested in Your Partner…
a.I was excited for Zuko and Mai until this. When she approached him in early episodes she has a way of pulling him out of his self-depreciating meta-angst with humor while still being considerate of his feelings. She tells him not worry. Here they don’t seem to interact with one another at all. It’s too bad because this is the longest interaction we have of the couple in the whole series. “I’m bored” “I know.” “I’m hungry.” “So what should I do?” “I’m hungry” “So?” “So, go find me some food.”
I never got the feeling that the ep was pushing Ty Lee's method as a successful way to build happy relationships. I mean, it's basically what she uses on Azula.
I also don't see this episodes as trying to be blueprint for a happy family life or something, it does however portray being vapid as successful in attracting romantic attention. If it weren't successful a half dozen boys wouldn't be hovering over Ty Lee and Chan wouldn't have warmed up to Azula as she laughed like an idiot. There were many ways to still keep the better jokes abut Azula being a sociopath while still portraying that Boys like Ty Lee for all the right reasons, not least of all being that she's nice.
1. We don't know that Azula is a sociopath. Unless you and the creators are both psychologists, it is speculation and an ableism magnet. The whole flirting subplot was poking fun at Azula's awkwardness with "normal" social interaction, which… isn't even related to sociopathy in the first place.
2. But do they like her? Does she like them? All I see is that flattery and good looks will ingratiate one to others, but look at the scene with cornered Ty Lee. Look at Chan's reaction at the glimpses of Azula's actual personality. Look at the contrast between their "genuine" mode and their "Ty Lee-style flirting" mode. To me, this episode is actively critiquing that mode of interaction as a double-edged sword: one that makes others superficially happy while guaranteeing oneself no safety or joy.
The only redeeming qualities of this episode are the well choreographed fight sequences, Azula's self-sabotage, and the scenery.
1) Hmm. I didn't realize that I got so free with the labels. Still, I don't really find what I said to be ablelist as I truly meant to refer to her unrelenting need to dominate people and to have her way.
In any case, I AM on my way to becoming a therapist. I'm beginning to work on licensure. So, that said, the more politically correct term should be anti-social personality disorder, and personality disorders DO relate to the inability to engage in normal social interaction. Can't speak for the creators. Even so, Azula doesn't really fit any true disorder. It would be pointless to diagnose her. That wasn't the purpose of my argument.
2. Yes, the boys do seem to like Ty Lee, but my issue is the episode does a poor job of exemplifying the right reasons for the interest. No, Chan doesn't really like the Azula's actual personality. Getting a glimpse of her scares him away. Also, Azula has no real interest in Chan other than his physique and the intrigue of his ignorance. The curiosity of flirting with someone who doesn't know she's royalty hardly makes up for the fact that she learns nothing about how to communicate like a normal human being.
And if you're referring to the fact that their "style" of interacting with boys get them no safety or joy, then I would highly disagree. It wins Ty Lee attention more than once: while catching sun, in a volleyball game, an invitation to a party, popularity, competition among suitors, etc. And Ty Lee is enjoying herself for the most part until Azula and Zuko start hurting her feelings. That's the issue! If you want to show that being a ditz wins you no substantial happiness then show that all the boys Ty Lee laughs with move on to someone else when it comes to actually holding a conversation. Show that Mai can't enjoy indoor activities or something else besides seashells when she must spend all her time feigning interest in the party. There were many more interesting ways to go with this!
I object to the devaluation of methods of interaction which deviate from the culturally constructed norm.
I agree that there are many ways to have hammered the point home, but I strongly disagree that attention is the same as safety or joy.
I think this was the episode where I started to want more for the Mai/Zuko stuff other than Mai's brushing off of feelings and Zuko's yelling.
Point 1: "Acting Like and Idiot Gets Boys"
Ah, but that's not the point. The moral is: acting like an idiot gets SILLY boys.
I thought the point was guys liked girls who seemed to be interested in them? Still doesn't make much sense but it's a better idea than what people are assuming based off that scene.
Lol wow, I didn’t realize so many people didn’t like this episode. Personally, I’ve always found it hilarious, most of what happens is just so ridiculous and I think it’s meant to be. Idk idk. Also, regarding Azula, it makes sense that she’s so socially inept, her relationships with people, even her “friends,” are all based on fear. So yeah, this episode is awkward has he’ll but for me that kind of makes hit funnier lol. (maybe that’s because I am awkward myself and can kinda relate idk). The scene around the fire is awesome though, I was really hoping you’d have more to say about it but oh well! Hopefully you’ll enjoy the next episode more. 🙂
I have to say I disagree with most of the comments here; I think this is a great episode with a lot of humour and slow burn character development. My main criticism is that the scenes with Team Avatar are such a shift in tone and content that I mostly fast forward through them.
Depths_of_Sea has already said everything for me, but I have just a handful of things to add.
Re the episode:
– The thing I love about the end, aside from the fact that burning down a house as a team-building exercise makes me laugh, is that these four teenagers have spent the last few months on their own, either isolated in enemy territory (Zuko) or essentially acting as an elite military unit (the Dangerous Ladies). They conquered the unconquerable city. And now they've been sent away like children, to play at the beach while the grown ups talk. No wonder they're socially inept. No wonder their reaction to social failure is hostile and violent. It's a kind of sad and plausible touch, and a nice insight into their characters.
About the comments here:
– I saw a bunch of complaints that the plot (teenagers! at the beach!) is UScentric, and I'm kind of like … really? Because I'm Australian, and I grew up in a coastal area, and my experience looked a lot like that. (Aside from the arson. Unless it was a REALLY rough tourist season.) Beach culture: not actually unique to the US!
– It bugs me a little that people are suggesting that Ursa is to blame for Azula's problems. All we see of Ursa (through Zuko's biased and one-sided flashbacks) are very small parts of her life, and obviously doesn't cover her one on one interactions with Azula. All we know is that Ursa recognises there's something wrong with the way Azula interacts with the world, and tries to discipline her.
Meanwhile, we have no reason to trust Azula's perceptions. She genuinely believes that her mother favoured Zuko, but she also seems to genuinely believe that her father is a great guy, that Zuko is weak, etc. And since we do know she was Ozai's favourite, she was ripe for parental alienation and manipulation.
TL;DR it seems really too easy and, frankly, sexist in the old "Yes, your mother is to blame for all your troubles" way to take Azula's perceptions at face value.
Agreed about Azula and Ursa; I have more to say over on the spoiler blog.
Completely agreed, especially about Ursa… the show always seemed, to me, to pin Azula's issues on the way dad and grandpa rewarded ruthless success, as seen in "Zuko Alone." ETA: AND how their "love" is conditional, based on obedience and success, as seen in "The Awakening."
It's not the beach scenes that give this episode a rather strong American feel, IMHO.
It's that whole "teenagers have a big party when their parents are out and end up destroying the house" thing.
Well, that's not uniquely American either. Although I'm sure my mother wishes it was.
I think this episode implies that Azula thinks part of her problems are caused by her mother. Not that they actually are but this is how she sees it. At least that's how I always saw it. We saw very little of Ursa's interaction with Azula in "Zuko Alone" (as we should) so we don't know how they interacted before that. It seems clear there that Azula has pushed away Ursa by that point and now she wonders about it.
Yeah. I realize Americans make a lot of movies, and that some of those movies have teenagers in them. BUT can we all just use our brains for a second? I know it's hard to envision, but OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE TEENAGERS TOO. Teenagers at the beach is not a uniquely "American" experience. I know you guys have California and everything, but land and ocean do meet in lots of other places.
And I agree, Lizbee. I found the Gaang plot a bit snore-worthy in this episode.
Hokay, for some reason, my replies to this comment keep vanishing (even the comment count for the thread goes down when I expand replies). I'm gonna start a thread for Azula and Ursa in the spoiler blog, so if you've watched the whole series, please head over there to continue the conversation.
<img src="http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5688/1275977659441.jpg">
They’re just stupid teenagers who thought it would be a laugh and that that guy was a dick.
Teenagers are dumb sometimes, cut em some slack. I don’t think that guy or his house was irrevocably damaged.
Alright, maybe his house. I don’t remember exactly what they do to it. I thought they just trashed the place.
But I personally loved the episode and thought it was fun and amusing.
That's exactly how i feel when i see a scene like that in any movie/show. Azula is always so competent and strong that it was really hard to watch her humiliate herself like that.
"why were there doves. what the hell."
FANGIRL VISION OF COURSE, GOSH. (And yay a question I can answer that wouldn't be a spoiler! *HAPPY TEARS*)
But, tbh, this is one of my least favorite episodes in the entire series. I just. Seeing Mai and Zuko in this just reminded me way too much of crap I'd seen at school a lot (and I was a HS senior at the time, so) and just made me run the other way. I hated seeing couples in school break up and make up within the same day and this didn't help matters in the least. I also liked that we got development for Ty lee and Mai and Azula, but. It wasn't enough for me, I think. :/
And yes, the mysterious assassin guy has a fandom name, but it's related to a spoiler so. :X (and your name's similar to one I saw flying around ASN before said fan name emerged so it works :Bb).
Spoiler alert: The entire rest of season three will be old movie/TV homages. Subtly woven in and increasing in intensity toward the finale, the homages will move away from the 80s to the 90s — specifically toward one particular 90s show which Mark may be familiar with. Mysterious abductions, unexplained spiritual phenomena — it all culminates with the stunning reveal that Ozai has been orchestrating a massive cover-up of the origin of bending, which was originally an A.V.A.T.A.R. experiment. The whole history, the "memories" of Aang's "past lives", were fabrications by the A.V.A.T.A.R. conspiracy, skillfully woven into the chosen Avatar line's souls.
Of course it's Iroh, isn't it obvious? Short, squat – looks nothing like Ozai. Building sandcastles with Lu Ten and playing with baby Zuko.
Yeeeeah, it is pretty obvious, now that you say it. I knew that couldn't be baby Azula.
See, I felt like this episode actually made a lot of sense. When Azula insults Ty Lee, for instance, Ty Lee isn't bursting into tears because she's hurt–she's bursting into tears because she knows what Azula wants. Azula's the queen bee, and the others (especially Ty Lee and Mai) HAVE to go along with her. They're terrified of her! If Azula wants to trash a house, that house gets trashed. This is basic high-school-girl sociology–which might be why it made sense to me. I remember dealing with queen bees EXACTLY like Azula back in the day. xD
It's hardly limited to high schoolers or girls. Powerful people, especially those who have demonstrated a disregard for others' well-being, tend to command the obedience of those around them.
We don't know whether Ursa thought Azula was a monster.
We know that Azula believed that Ursa thought that she was a monster.
Huge difference there.
I was actually trying to state it that way and it came out wrong, sorry about that.
Then it cut to a shot of Zuko walking down the beach alone. Several measures later, he pumps his fist in the air, the shot freezes, and the screen fades to black.
omg, imagining this is making me giggle hysterically